It's a Burman box and the location of the fill plug makes it pre-late 60s.
Don't recall having seen a stud there before but if I had to take a guess, perhaps it's a linkage support for a column shift vehicle?
The under-dash emergency brake on a Giulia Super or TI has a big bellcrank that pivots on that shaft. I think I've still got a bellcrank if anyone needs one.
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